Learn More about Prediabetes

The Mayo Clinic defines prediabetes as the condition where a person’s “blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.”  They go on to say that without intervention, a person is in danger of becoming diabetic in 10 years or less; however, there are steps you can take to help prevent this from happening.   

While it is not known exactly what causes prediabetes, we do know that family history and genetics play a significant role.  The Mayo Clinic explains that the genetic link has been confirmed by research with the discovery of some insulin resistant genes.  In addition studies show that excess fat; especially abdominal fat as well as inactivity are “important factors in the development of prediabetes.” 

The job of glucose (sugar) in our bodies is to fuel the cells that make up our muscles and other tissues.  We get glucose from any food we eat that has carbohydrates and not just from sweets.  As our food is digested, glucose enters the bloodstream, and “with the help of insulin, it enters the body's cells where it is utilized as a source of energy.”   For someone who has prediabetes, it means they have stopped processing glucose properly, and it is building up in their bloodstream, no longer providing fuel for their cells.  

To help prevent prediabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes, you need to make changes in your lifestyle.  A good way to start trying to normalize your blood sugar levels is to get plenty of physical exercise, make healthier food choices, and lose weight if you carry a lot of excess body fat.    

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Boulder, “to honor, to serve, to invest”, sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the best assisted living in Boulder Colorado.

Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/basics/symptoms/con-20024420 

Looking for an Assisted Living Community?

Searching for an assisted living community for yourself or a parent can feel like an overwhelming task.  We know you want to make the best choice and there are a couple of things you may want to consider before you take such an important step.   

First, you will want to research the various options in your preferred area.  The Internet is an efficient and easy way to discover what is out there, and you will find several websites that offer a search directory of facilities.  Also you can check with your health care provider for any recommendations they may have. 

Once you have narrowed down your list to several communities in your target location, give them a call to set up a tour.  While on the phone, have a list of questions handy such as are there immediate openings available, and if not, how long is the wait, the price range and what will you see on the tour as well as how much time it will take.   

A community tour is your best opportunity to get a real feel for the place.  You want your future home to have a caring and warm staff and residents that are friendly.  If you are looking for assisted living for a family member that is not very mobile, you can tour a few and narrow down the selections so they only tour the top choices.  The Caring.com website has a checklist available for researching and touring a community that you may find helpful.   

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills, the thing we brag the most about is our atmosphere of love and community that is built on one relationship at a time.  We are MorningStar’s newest community in the Valley of the Sun, convenient to Scottsdale and Phoenix, and offer a choice of 63 private assisted living suites on two levels.  Our Reflection Neighborhood has 28 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with memory impairment.  Please call us for more details.   

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.

Source: caring.com/articles/assisted-living-facilities-choosing-the-right-one 

Just What is Assisted Living?

The American Healthcare Association defines assisted living as “part of a continuum of long term care services that provides a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care designed to respond to individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities in a way that promotes maximum independence.”  So rather than taking away the independence of seniors assisted living actually helps residents to maintain their independence while giving them the care they need to live comfortably and safely.   

Also please remember assisted living is not a nursing home.  It is a community designed to meets the needs and preferences of the residents and to give them their dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice and safety.  While each community has its own personality, assisted living typically addresses the needs of its residents with 24-hour care services, daily meals and wellness activities.   In fact it is often more cost effective not to mention more convenient than employing a group of home health care providers. 

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we feel honored to serve seniors, and as such, our entire staff strives to provide our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Once you decide to join our Arrowhead family, our Wellness Director will sit down with you and your family to set up a care plan that addresses your every need.  For our residents’ families, they get peace of mind knowing our around-the-clock Care Managers are available to ensure the comfort and safety of their loved one.   

Our community opened in September of 2015 and is conveniently located on the north-side of Glendale.  We offer 60 private assisted living suites on two levels, which are available in an array of configurations including spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Please visit our website and use our online form to schedule a tour or for pricing and availability information.   

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for our residents.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand the area’s best senior living in the Glendale AZ area.

Sources:

ahcancal.org/ncal/about/assistedliving/Pages/What-is-Assisted-Living.aspx

www.aplaceformom.com/blog/things-you-didnt-know-about-assisted-living-2-19-2012/

 

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

In spite of all of the research done on Alzheimer’s and dementia, there is still no single test used to diagnose the disease.  Rather the Alzheimer’s Association explains that a diagnosis is made based on “a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type.” 

In some cases a person with signs of the disease may be referred to a neurologist or geri-psychologist to ensure an accurate diagnosis.  Laboratory testing includes blood tests and brain imaging, which are used to rule out other causes that may be contributing to dementia-like symptoms.  Other conditions doctors are looking for are signs of depression, drug interactions, thyroid problems, excessive use of alcohol and vitamin deficiencies.  If memory loss does stem from any of these other causes, it can be dealt with and generally reversed.   

Although Alzheimer’s cannot be cured, the Alzheimer’s Association emphasizes the importance of getting an early diagnosis as it gives someone a better chance of benefiting from available treatments.  If you need the name of a physician who is experienced in Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases, contact your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for a referral.  In addition the organization offers a worksheet that you can fill out beforehand to help prepare for your visit with your physician.  

Another reason why it is beneficial to understand what is happening to you or your loved one is that it not only can lessen anxieties, but also provides your family more time to prepare for the future.  Knowing what lies ahead also offers the individual an opportunity to be involved in future plans such as living options, care, transportation and financial matters.   

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.  

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.

Source: alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagnosis.asp

MorningStar of Boulder’s Memory Care

At MorningStar of Boulder, memory care takes place within our Reflections Neighborhood.  We offer 46 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and can accommodate those in the onset of the disease right through to the more advanced stages. The philosophy motivating our care is based on one of MorningStar’s mission statements that says, “To value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.” From this principle comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences, of each resident. 

We have a deep understanding of the different forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s that helps us to compassionately care for our memory impaired residents and to find the best ways to interact and communicate with them.  MorningStar’s specially trained staff uses an array of multi-sensory activities including art, dance, music, aromatherapy, life skills, exercise and animals to heal and comfort.    

Furthermore, we take the time to get to know a resident through interviews with their family members in order to learn about their history, vocation, talents and preferences.  We then use this knowledge to help us design an individualized care plan for the person.   

In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, scheduled outings and special events, and an enclosed, secure patio and courtyard.  Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home.  Contact us to learn more about our beautiful assisted living and memory care community on the southeast side of the beautiful mountain town of Boulder.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Boulder, “to honor, to serve, to invest”, sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the best assisted living in Boulder Colorado.

Does Your Parent Require Help with the Activities of Daily Living?

We know that seniors value their independence and that many are reluctant to let families and friends know they may need more help.  Often older adults fear they may become a burden or worry their family.  However experts advise that even if your parent is not expressing a need for more help, there are signs to look for that indicate they need it.   

Michael Perskin, a geriatrician at NYU Langone Health explains that, “Sometimes you’re shocked when you visit.”  He adds it is troubling if “you walk into a parent’s house and the bathrooms are dirty or there’s no food in the refrigerator.”   Other signs include weight loss and a generally decline in their appearance.  Often older adults in need of more care can no longer safely bath themselves and their health problems can make dressing difficult.  

Driving can also become a problem for seniors and evidence of scrapes and dents on their car may indicate they should not be driving anymore.  For other seniors, failing eyesight can make driving at night or in rainy or snowy weather difficult and can result in missed doctor appointments or not able to buy groceries and run errands.    

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our expertise is to fill in the gaps and provide the level of care you or your loved needs.  We offer a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community that includes three daily nutritional meals, the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and wellness programs, and to enjoy ready-made companionship.   

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our residents, we have 24/7 care managers, a full-time nurse, suites equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems.  We encourage you to visit our website and use our online form to set up a tour of our gorgeous, loving community.   

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for our residents.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand the area’s best senior living in the Glendale AZ area.

Source: health.usnews.com/senior-care/caregiving/articles/2018-02-09/what-are-the-signs-your-aging-parents-need-help

Questions to Ask at Your Doctor Visit

Too often right after a visit to our doctor’s, we think of a question that we wished we had asked.  This is the reason why the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has put together a list of questions you should take a look at before your next visit. 

The purpose of the questionnaire is to facilitate better communication between a patient and their doctor, and the AHRQ stresses the fact that by asking questions and getting answers will help to improve the quality of your care.  They state that, “Talking with your doctor builds trust and leads to better results, quality, safety, and satisfaction.”  Furthermore, by preparing questions beforehand to ask your doctor, it allows you to more efficiently use your time and not feel as rushed.    

Questions from the AHRQ include: what is the test for; how many times have you done this procedure; when will I get the results; and why do I need this treatment.  They also suggest that you ask if there are any alternative treatments, what are the possible complications, and which hospital is best for my needs.  Other questions include asking how to spell the name of the drug and are there are any side effects.  The last question, and an important one, is how will this new medication interact with the other medicines I am currently taking.  

Experts explain that rather than being reluctant to be asked these questions that doctors and nurses actually welcome them.  It assures them that you understand the information and are actively partnering with them in your care. 

The AHRQ website further adds that it may be helpful to take a family member or trusted friend with you to an appointment to assist you in understanding and remembering all of the answers to your questions.  The site also offers a list of questions to think about after your appointment.   

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.

Source:  ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/ask-your-doctor/index.html